Method for treating electrotype matrices



Oct. 27, 1942. A. H. scHoMAKER METHOD FOR TREATING ELECTROTYPE MATRICESFiled May 24, 1959 INVENT OR.

ATTORNEY.

Patented Oct. 27, 1942 METHOD FOR TREATING' ELECTEOTYPE MATRICES AlbertH. Schomaker,

The Rapid Electrot Ohio, a corporation Bellevue, Ky., assignor to ypeCompany, Cincinnati, `of Ohio Applicationl May 24, 1939, Serial No.275,569

5 Claims.

This invention relates to a process and apparatusfor metalizing,` oroxidizing the surface of lead or graphite coated forms or waxelectrotype matrices for increasing the conductivity, and as preliminaryto the electro deposition of metal thereon to produce an electrotypeshell.

It is a common practice to subject a graphited form or the surface` of agraphite coated wax electrotype` matrix to a preliminary copper coatingor oxidizing treatment. The surface generally is treated with a diluteslightly acid solution of copper sulphate and line iron filings aresprinkleidl over it, and the surface is gently brushed until it iscoveredwith copper. In this operation numerous cells or couples areproduced in which each iron particle acts as an anode, i. e. goes intosolution and displaces the copper which deposits upon the graphite iilmthat serves as a cathode. Thisheretofore has always been a manual.operation, and for large size or face dimension electrotype matrices anoperator usually treats a small portion of the surface of a matrix plateat aV time, and. therefore does not produce a uniform and continuousfilm so that the full advantage and benefit of preliminari-ly coating oroxidizing to impart an electrically conducting film to the graphitedsurface of the matrix is not obtained.

It is therefore an object of the invention to providev a simple, cheapandi effective means and` methodforY uniformly and completely coatingthe graphite surface of anV electrotype form or matrix to: render thesame immediately conductive for the electro deposition of metal thereonto produce an electrotypeshell.

Another object of the invention is to provide an eicientr andi speedymethod for preliminarily oxidizing or metalizing the surface of anelectrotype form or matrix, a treatment performed while a matrixiscontinuously advanced to receive one of the several differentconstituents or ingredients applied at successive stages and theapplication thereofA automatically controlled by the advancing matrixstationed upon a conveyor, the method permitting of a plurality ofplates in a successive order to be simultaneously treated and suppliedupon a conveyor at one endthereof and removed from the' opposite end ina condition ready for making a face electrical conductor connection andelectro deposition to produce shell.

Another object of the invention is to control the time4 or period ofsuccessive treatments by the rate of continuous advance or travel ofthematrix an electrotype stationed upon a conveyor to obtain uniformity 55in the treatment of a plurality of plates and in degree of surfacemetalizing or oxidizing.

Other advantages and features of the invention will be more fully setforth in the description of the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a centra-l vertical diagrammatic sec-k tion of the apparatusfor practicing the improved method of the present invention.

Figures 2 to 5 inclusive arel corresponding sections of an electrotypematrix, each illustrating a stage in the application of one of theseveral different constituents upon the surface of an electrotypematrix.

With the present method, the well known ingredients of a dilutedslightly acid solution of copper sulphate and iine iron filings formetalizing or oxidizing the graphited wax surface of an electrotypematrix are employed. Therefore, the description will be confined to theuse of these ingredients or materials, although the element or elementswhich specifically enter into the constitution of anyy mixture orcompound or the kind and number of materials employed doesy not form apart of the present invention so that the ref- Y erence to any specificmaterial is merely given to aid in the understanding and practice of themethod and the operation of the apparatus.

As highly efficient and economical results by the preferred method areobtained in the use of' diluted slightly acid solution of coppersulphate and iine iron filings for preliminarily coating the graphitedsurface of an electrotype matrix as a means for increasing itsconductivity, no change in material has been necessary.

Briefly, the method consists in continuously conveying a wax electrotypematrix during the period of treatment, and in a horizontal plane, withthe graphited surface uppermost, by stationing the same upon the forwardrun of an endless conveyor. The treatments starting, first by sprayingor administering from a nozzle for the full width of the matrix plate, acrosswisc stream` or drippings of acid solution upon the graphitedsurface of the matrix, the administration or application commencing atthe forward end of the plate and correspondingly continuing to itsopposite end. The amount or velocity of the fluid is regulated andcontrolled according to the needs required to produce the most favorableand eicient results, and this also applies to the rate of plate traveland is readily determinedr in practice so that specifically describedrates of flow of liquid or solid ingredientsv employed in the treatmentand rate of travel of the plate need not be given herein, and which alsodeponds upon the net results desired. This also applies to the relativetime or administering points of one material or ingredient from another,and these also can be readily adjusted and altered as conditions mayrequire.

1n applying the liquid ingredients by means of a nozzle disposed andextending transverse to the direction of plate travel and reaching thefull width thereof, a determined and uniform application of acidsolution is applied. This also follows for the successive applicationsarranged at points or stages in the progress of the plate with the timeof starting and stopping thereof controlled by the moving plate whichactuates electric circuit controlling switch means for operatingappropriate devices to start and stop the feed of the material appliedupon the plate. The switches are disposed in the path of the platetravel so that the time of control is governed by the lengthof theplate. At a determined interval from commencing administering ortreating the plate with lthe acid solution, a lateral stream ordrippings of iine iron filings are delivered upon the acid solutioncovered surface of the plate commencing at its forward end and uniformlycontinuing to the opposite end of the plate. The iron filings, afterdeposit upon the plate, act in conjunction with the acid solution todeposit a copper coating upon the graphited surface of the plate. Theaction continues and is segmented when the plate reaches a point atwhich its forward end actuates control means for opening a valve to jetwater or blow air upon the surface of the plate, delivered from a nozzleextending transversely of the plate direction of travel. This actionagitates the material, acid solution and iron filings delivered upon theplate, and also serves as a cooling agent to prevent breaking down orinjury to the wax of the matrix as the electro-chemical action of theacid and iron n1- ings create heat.

The plate then continues in its travel for a repeat operation supplyingthereon as previously described acid solution, iron filings, and asufficient supply of fresh water or air, and finally flushing thesurface progressively to a high pressure and volume degree of freshwater from a nozzle extending transverse and in parallelism to thenozzles, previously referred to, to fully and completely wash and rinseoff the entire surface of the plate. The plate is then manually removedfrom the conveyor and is in a condition to receive a face conductorconnection or ready for a further processing by electro deposition toproduce an electrotype shell.

Referring to the drawing, l indicates a tank or container within whichthe electrotype matrix plates 2 are consecutively conveyed fortreatment. The matrix plates are conveyed upon an endless or beltconveyor for translating the same beneath a plurality or series ofsprayer nozzles and feed spouts arranged in a sequential order for firstsupplying the top lead coated surface of a matrix plate with a liquidacid solution, then a fine dry granular product of iron filingsfollowing with a spray of clear water or air. Then repeating theoperations and finishing with a heavy clear water flushing spray to washoff all of the treatment material that remains free from the precedingoperations.

A tank is preferably employed for housing the plates during their periodof treatment, as conveyed for the successive steps of the treatment forcollecting all discharge from the` plates and salvaging some of thematerials used in the treatment of the plates. The bottom 3 of the tankis inclined longitudinally for draining the liquid therefrom to andthrough an outlet pipe ii installed in the deep end or" the tank; andthe metallic particles, as for instance iron filings, which are used inconnection with an acid solution for treating the top surfaces of theplates, are collected and deposited upon the bottom of the tank to beconserved and removed for reconditioning and reirse.

The conveyor preferably constitutes a pair of belts 5 suitably spacedapart, each at one end engaging respectively over a driving wheel 6fixed upon a driving shaft i', and at an opposite end over an idlerwheel 5a fixed upon a shaft 1a. The shafts are suitably journalled inbearings mounted upon the opposite side walls of the tank. The belts arepreferably of a V-type engaging over grooved pulleys or wheels and of amaterial, resistant to the acid solution used in the treatment of thematrices, for increased endurance. The conveyor drive shaft 'l extendsthrough one of the side walls of the tank for making an exterior powertransmission connection as by means of a sprocket wheel and drivingchain in connection with an electric motor or other mode of powertransmission,

The forward run of the belt or conveyor for the space required betweenthe driving and idler pulleys, to accommodate for the number of platesthat can be operated upon for simultaneous and continuous treatment, andfor loading and removal and for a maximum size of plate, can bemaintained at sufficient tautness to sustain the plates in asubstantially horizontal plane without the provision of guidinginstrumentalities. If necessary however, guide rollers or supportingrails may be employed to sustain the upper run of the conveyor or beltsagainst sag. The plates however are suiiiciently rigid so that anyslight sag in the belts under the weight of the plates which may have atendency to incline the plates is immaterial, although it is preferredto not too rapidly drain the constituents employed for plate treatment,and therefore for the most efcient results it i5 preferable to have theplates on as true a horizontal plane as possible.

To insure a treatment of the plates for their full surface width and forconvenience in applying or depositing the plates upon the belts orconveyor, and to move the same in a width alignment for registrationwith nozzles and discharge spouts employed for delivery of the treatmentmaterial upon the top surface of the plates, it is preferred to eitherhave the tank of a width sufficient to freely receive a definite size ofthe plate or to track the same at one or both sides longitudinally bystationary guide rails or bars fixed to the side walls of the tank. Therails provide a spacing or way for tracking the plates. This addsconvenience to the operator in loading the plates upon the conveyor asit eliminates any plate adjustment after deposited upon the conveyor,and insures a uniform treatment for the full area or surface of theplates thereof.

A matrix plate, as it is conveyed by the conveyor, at a proper point inits travel has its forward end engage and depress a control electricswitch lever as the first of a series, which, when depressed,establishes an electric circuit to a magnetically operated valve Q,opening its valve Hi for a discharge of liquid acid solution from asupply tank or reservoir Il shown as mounted upon the top of the maintank I, although tlie reservoir location could be remote from the maintank. The valve Ill controls the inlet end or porty of a pipefitting I2connectedv to the bottom of the solution reservoir I'I, andI with ahorizontally disposed nozzle tube I3 for delivering the supply ofv acidsolution upon the top surface of the matrix.

The nozzle is disposed crosswise of and for the width of the plate,andfits jet apertures are of a determined gaugey and spacingV apart fordelivery of an adequateV supply of liquid acid solution uniformlyacrossthe fullr widthV of the plate,.continuously with the-advance of thevplate and progressively until its entire surface has been supplied.Thesupply is automatically out off as soon as the plateadvances beyondvand releases the control lever 8f at an appropriately timed intervalfrom the time of initiating the liquid solution supply.- The surface ofthe matrix is supplied with metallic or iron filings discharged, in alongitudinalstream, crosswise of the plate, from a reservoir Idr shownas mounted upon the top of the maintank I. lIlhe ironfilings as a dry negranular product are distributedv from the funnel shaped'bottomof thereservoir III` by a4 pairl of coactingrelatively reversely rotatedj feedrollersv I5, I5.. T-he feed rollers are power driven, the drivingmechanism therefor is clutch controlled, preferably by a magneticallyoperated clutch and in transmission connection with the'conveyor shaftTher clutch is. operated at and for an appropriateftimed interval andperiod by a switch lever I6 corresponding to the switch lever 8,actuated by an advancing matrix plate-2, for establishing andbreakinganelectric circuit to the magnetic clutch diagrammatically illustratedand indicated'at Il. upon the black lead coated surface ofL the matrixplates with the diluted acid solution results in an electro-chemicalreaction producing almetalized surface thereover for developing` ametallic flash deposit thereon;

The plate'in its advance and at an appropriate point from the point ofdepositing metallic'lings depresses a third switch lever I8, whichthereupon establishes an electric circuit to-a'n electromagneticallyoperated valve IQ for opening a fresh water or air pressure supply lineor pipe 20 to a nozzle 2l. The nozzle 2I connects with the end of thepipe 20 at an appropriate height from the plate carrying plane of theconveyor and extends crosswise of the tank for discharging r sprayingwater or air upon the plate 2. The spray continues for the full lengthof the plate, and is cut off as soon as the rear end of the platereleases the switch lever I8. The spray agitates the material previouslydelivered upon the plate, and also serves as a cooling agent.

The surface of the plate preferably is subjected to a second treatment,corresponding to the rst as a repeat. The plate in its advance and at aproper point or interval after having passed the nozzle 2| actuates aswitch lever 22 for establishing an electric circuit to anelectromagnetically operated valve 23 as a control for the nozzle 24 inpipe or conduit connection with the reservoir 25, for a second deliveryof said solution. Thence the plate actuates a switch lever 26 for thecontrol of an electro-magnetically operated clutch 21 for thetransmission of the coacting rotating feed rollers 28, 29, at the baseof the reservoir 3D for administering or applying a granular material oriron filings upon the top surface of the plate. Continuing, the platethen actuates a switch lever 3|, establish- The deposit of the metallicfilingsy rate of speedfnecessary t0 obtain a proper allowance for thesuccess-ive plate treatmentscally operated valve 32 inthe water line orpipe 34. The pipe 34 carries a sprayer nozzle'35-for administering orapplying an air or water supply upon the moving plate. The pipes Zit`and 34 are represented as bran-ch lines linking witha water main orservice'linel.

Finally the plate act-uates a switch lever 3l' which establishes anelectric circuit with an'electro-magnetically operated valve 38in thewater line or pipe 39'as'a branchv in connection with themain waterservice pipe 36. The branch line 39 at its lower end-is provided? with anozzle l0- for the delivery of a heavy or forceful flushing volume ofwater or liquid upon the plate to thor-` oughly wash and cleanse theplate surface of all loose metallic particles depositedy thereon in thetreatment, and to efliciently cleanse it from the acid orliquid-solution administered 0r developed in the course of treatment.

The nozzle 4l! preferably directs the spray or stream forwardly, and isVshielded by an'inverted V-form of covering 4l so` as t0 avoid deliveryof any quenching quantity or spray of water in an advancedstage whichmay be interfering to the full degree ofmetalizing action desired.

The several-switch levers, 8, I6, I8', etc., are all of springy actuatedor counterweighted type to open automatically asthe plate retreatstherefrom; Each has a conductor l2 connecting with. an electric supplyline 43 to the movablecontact carried by the'switch, and` a conductordit connectinglthestationary contact of the switch and magnet of the inseries with the coil of the device operated thereby and withca serviceline 45. As the switch-7s magnetically operated valves and clutches areof commercial cr'conventional` type, a detailed disclosure thereof isnot made herein as it is-believed that the construction and operation iswell known, andthat the-inventionherein and the methodand mode ofoperation will` be fullyr understood'by the diagrammatic illustration ofthese parts or devices.

The conveyor is operated. at an appropriate time This, however, providesample time for an operator to deposit manually the plate on one endofthe conveyor and remove a treated plate from the opposite or deliveryend of the conveyor, and to constantly have a plurality of platessimultaneously undergoing treatment. Aside from the more eflicientmanner in which the surface of the plates are metalized, the materialsaving in time is effected over the present hand methods now practiced,thus materially reducing the cost in the production of electrotypes.

Having described my invention, I claim:

l. The method of treating a graphite coated surface of an electrotypematrix with a liquid acid solution and fine metallic granules to producea metallic lm thereon, which consists in transporting the matrix in ahorizontal plane continuously at a determined rate for the period oftreatment, with the graphite coated side upward, administering thereonfrom dispensers stationed thereabove, separately and in a consecutiveorder the liquid solution, ne metallic granules, and a spray foragitating and cooling the solution and granules on the surface of thematrix, delivering said several products and spray from the dispensersonto the surface of the moving matrix crosswise for the full widththereof, effecting thereby together with the travel of the matrix aprogressive uniform application and treatment,

ing an electric circuit for an electro-magnetiand finally administeringa liquid under pressure crosswise for the full Width of the matrix toprogressively with the travel of the matrix cleanse the surface of thesolution and loose particles thereon.

2. The method of treating a graphite coated surface of an electrotypematrix with a liquid acid solution andI fine metallic granules toproduce a metallic film thereon, which consists in .f transporting thematrix in a horizontal plane continuously at a determined rate for theperiod of treatment With the graphite coated side up- Ward,administering thereon from dispensers stationed thereabove separatelyand in a consecutive order the liquid solution, fine metallic granules,and a spray for agitating and cooling the solution and granules on thesurface of the matrix, delivering said several products and spray fromthe dispensers onto the surface of the moving matrix crossvvise for thefull width thereof, effecting thereby together with and the travel ofthe matrix a progressive uniform application and treatment, repeatingthe performance in the continued travel of the matrix, and finallyadministering a liquid under pressure orosswise for the full Width ofthe matrix to progressively with the travel of the matrix cleanse thesurface of the solution and loose particles thereon.

3. The method of treating a graphite coated surface of an electrotypematrix with a liquid acid solution and ne metallic granules to produce ametallic film thereon, which consists in transporting the matrix in ahorizontal plane continuously at a determined rate for the period oftreatment with the graphite coated side upward, administering thereonfrom dispensers stationed thereabove separately and in a consecutiveorder the liquid solution and fine metallic granules, delivering saidseveral products from the dispensers onto the surface of the movingmatrix crosswise for the full Width thereof, effecting thereby andtogether With the travel of the matrix a progressive uniform applicationand treatment, and nally administering a liquid under pressurecrossvvise for the full width of the matrix to progressively With thetravel of the matrix cleanse the surface of the solution and looseparticles thereon.

4. The method of treating a graphite coated surface of an electrotypematrix with a liquid acid solution and ne metallic granules to produce ametallic film thereon, which consists in transporting the matrix in ahorizontal plane continuously at a determined rate for the period oftreatment with the graphite coated side up- Ward, administering thereonfrom dispensers stationed thereabove separately and in a consecutiveorder the liquid solution and ine metallic granules, delivering saidseveral products fromV the dispensers onto the surface of the movingmatrix crosswise for the full Width thereof, effecting thereby andtogether With the travel of the matrix a progressive uniform applicationand treatment, repeating the performance in the continued travel of thematrix, and finally administering a liquid under pressure crossvvise forthe full width of the matrix to progressively With the travel of thematrix cleanse the surface of the solution and loose particles thereon.

5. The method of treating a graphite coated surface of an electrotypematrix With a liquid acid solution and ne metallic granules to produce ametallic film thereon, which consists in transporting the matrix in ahorizontal plane continuously at a determined rate for the period oftreatment, with the graphite coated side upward, administering thereonfrom dispensers stationed thereabove, separately and in a consecutiveorder the liquid solution, fine metallic granules, and a spray foragitating and cooling the solution and granules on the surface of thematrix, delivering said several products and spray from the dispensersonto the surface of the moving matrix crosswise for the full widththereof, effecting thereby and together with the travel of the matrix aprogressive uniform application and treatment, finally administering aliquid under pressure crossvvise for the full width of the matrix toprogressively with the travel of the matrix cleanse the surface of thesolution and loose particles thereon, and automatically individuallycontrolling the delivery of each dispenser by the moving matrix and theperiod of delivery by the length and rate of travel of the movingmatrix.

ALBERT H. SCHOMAKER.

